Kosovo

You are here

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • Sanket Telang asked: Why doesn't India recognize Kosovo as a sovereign Country?

    Alok R. Mukhopadhyay replies: The question is raised at the most opportune time. On July 22 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has delivered a comprehensive ruling of 45 pages on this issue. By ten vote to four, the ICJ concluded, ‘declaration of independence of Kosovo adopted on 17 February 2008 did not violate international law’. But legalities apart there is still no consensus about the independence of Kosovo and its recognition. Even some European nations are not in favour of the independence of Kosovo. Parallels could also be drawn with the instances when as a fallout of the Russia-Georgia War in 2008, Russia unilaterally recognized the two Georgian provinces, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

    India has been silent about this contentious issue of unilateral declarations by some break-away or renegade provinces, and prefers to wait for an international consensus to emerge. Realistically, recognising Kosovo as a sovereign country is neither a top priority nor a foreign policy challenge for India.

    Kosovo’s Independence: The “Politics” of Geography and Internal Contradictions

    Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence on February 17, 2008 is dividing the world into states that support the move and those opposed to it. It has also emboldened separatist movements across the world.

    May 14, 2008

    Kosovo Declares Independence, East Asia Feels the Heat

    The impact of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia on February 17 is being felt on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Apart from plunging the European Union (EU) into a crisis, Kosovo’s independence has escalated the ‘war of words’ between China and Taiwan even as the latter gears up for the March 22 presidential elections, which will also feature a referendum on the island considering membership of the United Nations under the name of 'Taiwan.'

    March 04, 2008

    Top